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Black Fungus: 6 Symptoms You Should Watch Out For

May 17, 2021

Black Fungus: 6 Symptoms You Should Watch Our For Asap — image source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/

COVID-19 continues to create an upheaval in the health care systems all over the world. With the third wave, the number of cases is constantly rising. The latest discovery in COVID-19 patients includes a black fungus infection, aka Mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis is a sporadic infection. It can result from exposure to mucor mold, commonly found in soil, plants, manure, and decaying fruits and vegetables. The infection can affect the sinuses, the brain, and the lungs.

The condition can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.

Cause Of Mucormycosis

Black fungus is usually triggered by steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill Covid-19 patients.

Steroids reduce inflammation in the lungs for Covid-19. Thus, they help stop some of the damage that can happen when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive to fight off coronavirus. But they also reduce immunity and push up blood sugar levels in both people with diabetes and non-diabetic Covid-19 patients.

It’s thought that this drop in immunity could be triggering these cases of mucormycosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Mucormycosis

The sign and symptoms can range from headache, facial pain to a facial deformity. However, a detailed review of all the signs and symptoms is mentioned below.

1. Headaches

Headaches can be due to inhalation of fungal molds. The inhaled fungal molds can attack the sinuses and the nasal cavities, resulting in persistent pain and headaches.

2. Vision Impairment

The visual symptoms can range from swelling in one eye, have hazy or poor vision, or develop bloodshot eyes with distorted vision.

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3. Swelling In The Parts Of The Face

Swelling or pain on the cheekbone, one-sided facial pain, or sort of numbness could also be primary markers of the infection right now.

The fungal infection can also affect the skin and can give rise to multiple lesions.

4. Altered Mental State

Symptoms like delirium, memory loss, neurological impairment, the altered mental state could be signs that a patient needs attention. On the other hand, confusion or altered mental state can be mainly due to inhalation of the molds, which can enter the brain through sinuses.

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5. Discolouration Around The Nose

Facial distortion is the primary feature of the infection. In the most severe cases, the condition can result in the growth of black patches around the eyes, nose.

6. Tooth Loss

In some cases, sporadic growth of the fungal infection can lead a person to lose his or her teeth or jaws.

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